Prof. K. MURUGAN
Department of Zoology, Bharathiar University, India
Title: STUDIES ON THE BIOSYNTHESIZED NANOPARTICLESAS AN EMERGING TOOL AGAINST INSECTS OF AGRICULTURE, MEDICAL AND VETERINARY IMPORTANCE: TOWARDS ECO-FRIENDLY APPROACH
Abstract:
Control of insect pests and vectors is a highly current issue since they are known to affect the health of the planet. Although in the last decades chemical pesticides have been considered the solution to this problem, nowadays we are becoming aware that they are nothing more than a palliative. In fact, their efficacy has been overshadowed by two main drawbacks, the environmental hazards, and the resistance development, linked to their overuse. In this scenario, nano-technologies represent the tool of choice. Since they can encapsulate the active compound in a suitable way to protect them and, at the same time, to exalt their efficacy, botanical compound-based nano-systems could represent the turning point in pest management. Although promising results have been reported in the literature, a strong gap between the theoretical research and the practical application persists. In this direction, in the near future it is necessary to improve and examine in-depth different aspects of green nanotechnologies; in particular, (i) industrialization of botanical species plantation in order to increase the amount and the yield of active ingredients, (ii) standardization of products in terms of quantitative and quantitative composition, (iii) optimization of the formulation process to enhance the stability and efficacy of nanosystems, (iv) reduction of the costs of production, (v) evaluation of the real long-term effects of the new products on the environment and non-target organisms and (vi) definition of a clear normative framework able to facilitate the commercial authorization of botanical compound-based nanosystems.
Newer and safer tools have been recently implemented to enhance control of insects in agriculture and medical fields. Hence, we focused on characterization, effectiveness, and non-target effects of mosquitocidal nanoparticles synthesized using botanical products. Most of the plant fabricated metal nanoparticles (MNP) are silver ones. The synthesis of MNP is usually confirmed by UV-visualization spectroscopy, followed by scanning electron microscopy or transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction studies. Interestingly, plant-synthesized metal nanoparticles. Plant active molecules such as neem products, Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) contains more than 100 determined biologically active compounds such as limonoids azadirachtin, salannin, deacetyl gedunin, gedunin, 17-hydroxy azadiradione and deacetyl nimbin on insect pests were investigated and many formulations deriving from them showed toxicity, antifeedancy and repellence against a number of arthropod pests. Similarly, we have demonstrated on the biocidal effect of quinoline (4,7-dichloroquinoline) derivatives against mosquito vectors, malarial parasites and dengue virus and bioinformatics molecular docking with Covid-19 spike protein. The multifaceted activities of biosynthesized nanoparticles, (BSNP) with following key issues. a) To study impact the biosynthesized nanoparticles, (BSNP) on the life history parameters of crop insects and medical insects on their progeny production. b) Biosynthesized nanoparticles, (BSNP) on the predatory behavior of fish, copepods, beetles, dragon flies and tadpoles and further predatory and parasites of agricultural insect pests for sustainable agriculture. c) Biosynthesized materials on the antimalarial, anti dengue, antifungal, anticancer activities and anti-covid for the development of therapeutic drugs and d) Study of DNA bar-coding and to explore the genetic variation of insect’s populations from different geographical regions.
Keywords: Nanotechnology, nanoinecticides, crop insects, mosquito vectors, in silico docking, covid protein
Biography:
He is Prof. Dr. K. MURUGAN presently working as a Registrar, Senior Professor and Head, Department of Zoology, Additional Director, Centre for Life Sciences, Defence Development Research Organization- Bharathiar University, Government of India and formerly ViceChancellor at Thiruvalluvar University (State University), Vellore, Tamil Nadu from 2016 to 2019 for 3 years. He has also served as Finance Officer i/c, Bharathiar University nearly one year.